Events

Legendary rockers set the British capitol alight with command performance at 02 Arena

By Alex Baker

Last night in London the Rolling Stones performed the first of five shows they’ve scheduled to commemorate their 50th anniversary as a band. It’s perhaps fitting that the band, which originally rose from the London blues circuit in the early Sixties, would choose the British capitol to kick off their celebratory “50 & Counting” mini-tour. The tour will see the band perform once more in London before decamping to New York for a trio of appearances.

As always, the band were led by Mick Jagger, who with his ageless strutting persona and seemingly boundless energy, seems to have become rock’s equivalent of Peter Pan. Jagger was flanked by guitarists Keith Richards and Ron Wood, while drummer Charlie Watts kept the beat. However for last night’s show the Stones were joined by a host of guest stars including former bassist Bill Wyman and ex-guitarist Mick Taylor.

According to one report, Taylor just about stole the show when he joined the band onstage for an incendiary version of “Midnight Rambler.” Other guest performers on the night included Jeff Beck and Mary J. Blige. Beck lent his formidable guitar chops to a rendition of “I’m Going Down,” while Blige duetted with Jagger on “Gimme Shelter.”

Jagger who wore tight black pants and a sparkly checked jacket with matching hat, thanked the audience for attending, at one point saying, “It’s amazing that we’re still doing this, and it’s amazing that you’re still buying our records and coming to our shows. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

The 20,000 fans in attendance greeted the band with a raucous reception and critics have just about unanimously praised the band for pulling off a show that generally seems to have exceeded expectations all around.

Last night’s performance was the Stones’ first in five years. Below is a complete list of the 23 songs they performed: